Quiz: Do You Have Symptoms of COPD?
This quiz is designed to help you discover if you are at risk for COPD, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. It asks questions about you, your breathing and what you are able to do.
To complete the survey, add up the points associated with your answer for each question below. The numbers beside each answer will be used to total your score at the end of the quiz. Remember, this quiz is not a replacement for a medical visit, so if you get concerning results or are worried about anything regarding your lungs, please contact your doctor—they will be able to help you get a diagnosis and figure out treatment options.
This easy COPD quiz was created by DRIVE4COPD in June 2011. Visit the site for more information about COPD.
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1. During the past 4 weeks, how much of the time did you feel short of breath?
None of the time: 0
A little of the time: 0
Some of the time: 1
Most of the time: 2
All of the time: 2
2. Do you ever cough up any “stuff,’’ such as mucus or phlegm?
No, never: 0
Only with occasional colds or chest infections: 0
Yes, a few days a month: 1
Yes, most days a week: 1
Yes, every day: 2
3. Please select the answer that best describes you in the past 12 months. I do less than I used to because of my breathing problems.
Strongly disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Unsure: 0
Agree: 1
Strongly agree: 2
4. Have you smoked at least 100 cigarettes in your ENTIRE LIFE?
No: 0
Yes: 2
Don’t know: 0
5. How old are you?
Age 35 to 49: 0
Age 50 to 59: 1
Age 60 to 69: 2
Age 70 or over: 2
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How to Score Your COPD Quiz:
In the spaces below, write the number that is next to your answer for each of the questions. Add the number to get the total score. The total score can range from 0 to 10.
____+____ +____+____ +____ =________
(#1) (#2) (#3) (#4) (#5) TOTAL SCORE
If your total score is 5 or more, this means your breathing problems may be caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The higher your score, the more likely you are to have COPD. COPD is often referred to as chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema and is a serious lung disease that slowly gets worse over time. While COPD cannot be cured, it is treatable, so please share your answers to the five question screener with your healthcare professional.
If your total score is between 0 and 4, and you are experiencing problems with your breathing, please share your answers to the five-question screener with your doctor or health care professional.
Only your health care professional can decide if you have COPD. Your health care professional can help evaluate your breathing problems by performing a breathing test, also known as spirometry. Don’t wait. Call your doctor today to make an appointment to see if you may be at risk for COPD. Remember, when speaking to your health care professional, be honest and open in describing your symptoms and explain how your breathing problems affect your activity level on a daily basis.
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